Which allergy medicine is best for hives?

Which allergy medicine is best for hives?

Treatments Doctors Use for Hives Doctors usually prescribe antihistamines as a first course of treatment for hives. Acute cases can generally be treated with over-the-counter antihistamines like Benadryl, Claritin (loratadine), Allegra (fexofenadine), and Zyrtec (cetirizine).

How do you treat chronic hives?

Lifestyle and home remedies

1. Wear loose, light clothing.
2. Avoid scratching or using harsh soaps.
3. Soothe the affected area with a bath, fan, cool cloth, lotion or anti-itch cream.
4. Keep a diary of when and where hives occur, what you were doing, what you were eating, and so on.
5. Avoid known triggers.

How do I get rid of chronic hives permanently?

Wear loose-fitting, cotton clothes. Apply a cold compress, such as ice cubes wrapped in a washcloth, to the itchy skin several times a day—unless cold triggers your hives. Use anti-itch medication that you can buy without a prescription, such as an antihistamine or calamine lotion.

Can I take 2 Zyrtec for hives?

Most of the time, people try various medications until they find some combination that works for them. The combination of Zantac (ranitidine) and Zyrtec (cetirizine) helps many people, although you may need to double the regular Zyrtec dose to 10 mg twice a day for decent relief.

How do I stop hives from coming back?

Lifestyle and home remedies

1. Avoid triggers. These can include foods, medications, pollen, pet dander, latex and insect stings.
2. Use an over-the-counter anti-itch drug.
3. Apply cold washcloth.
4. Take a comfortably cool bath.
5. Wear loose, smooth-textured cotton clothing.
6. Avoid the sun.

What is the most common cause of chronic hives?

The most common cause of hives is infections. Foods such as eggs, nuts and shellfish are common causes of urticaria. Medications such as aspirin and antibiotics (especially penicillin and sulfa) also are common causes of hives. Infections causing hives include the common cold, and other viral infections.

How long does it take for Zyrtec to work for hives?

Zyrtec starts to work within an hour or so after taking the medication—making it useful for the as-needed treatment of hay fever and hives. Taking it daily, however, may result in better overall control of allergy symptoms.

How do you treat viral hives?

If you’re experiencing mild hives or angioedema, these tips may help relieve your symptoms:

1. Avoid triggers.
2. Use an over-the-counter anti-itch drug.
3. Apply cold washcloth.
4. Take a comfortably cool bath.
5. Wear loose, smooth-textured cotton clothing.
6. Avoid the sun.

What cream should I put on hives?

What is the best cream to put on hives? Calamine lotion is the safest and most effective anti-itch cream. Other anti-itch creams with hydrocortisone or topical anesthetics may provide more relief, but side effects are more likely.